A good understanding of sports betting lays the foundation for good, competent, wagers. Failure to learn the trade – so to speak – can cause unexpected blows to your bankroll. Learn how to bet on tennis to avoid losing your stake and potential return at the bookies.
In this article, we’ll explain how tennis betting works, the types of tennis bets, and how to place your first wager. We’ll cover the pros and cons of tennis betting, and explore the most popular tournaments and betting strategies to maximise your chances of winning. Check out our beginner’s guide to tennis betting below.
How Does Tennis Betting Work
Tennis betting works much in the same way as any other sports bet. Punters place wagers on various aspects of the sport including the overall winner, set winners or total games played. A choice of standard markets on in-play betting options is available for bettors.
If we take Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz as a high-profile example, bettors may place a moneyline (to win) bet on Djokovic due to his experience in the sport. Other betting options may include Djokovic winning in straight sets or Alcaraz winning at least one set.
Looking at the in-play markets, Alcaraz’s aggressive style may drastically impact the match as it plays out. This could open the door for great in-play odds that bettors may benefit from.
All Types of Tennis Bets Explained
As one of the most popular sports in the UK, bettors are offered a wide range of tennis betting markets. Below are some of the most popular tennis bets available.
Win Market (Moneyline)
A win market (moneyline) is the simplest bet in tennis. A bettor is simply required to enter their prediction of the match winner. An example of the markets can be found in the table below, which details the win market (moneyline) for the Olympic Matchup of Qinwen Zheng vs. Donna Vekic:
| Player | Match | 1st Set |
| Qinwen Zheng | 2/5 | 8/15 |
| Donna Vekic | 7/4 | 11/8 |
Set Betting
Set betting is concerned with the outcome of the sets in a match. Bettors are given a handful of choices that can be added to their betslip. An example of set betting markets can be found in the table below, for the same match:
| Player / Sets | Odds |
| Qinwen Zheng 2-0 | 11/10 |
| Qinwen Zheng 2-1 | 3/1 |
| Donna Vekic 2-0 | 7/2 |
| Donna Vekic 2-1 | 9/2 |
Set Betting Handicap
The set betting handicap works much in the same way as set betting, but with a margin (in this case, +1.5):
| Player / Sets | Odds |
| Qinwen Zheng (+1.5 Sets) | 1/6 |
| Donna Vekic (+1.5 Sets) | 7/2 |
Alternatively, in the case of a negative set handicap – the following table highlights the example.
| Player / Sets | Odds |
| Qinwen Zheng (-1.5 Sets) | 11/10 |
| Donna Vekic (-1.5 Sets) | 4/6 |
1st Set Correct Score
The 1st set correct score markets are concerned with bettors correctly predicting the correct score of the first set. This can be carried over to any other set in the game:
| Score | Odds |
| Qinwen Zheng (6-0) | 22/1 |
| Qinwen Zheng (6-1) | 9/1 |
| Qinwen Zheng (6-2) | 13/2 |
| Qinwen Zheng (6-3) | 9/2 |
| Qinwen Zheng (6-4) | 9/2 |
| Qinwen Zheng (7-5) | 10/1 |
| Qinwen Zheng (7-6) | 8/1 |
| Donna Vekic (6-0) | 66/1 |
| Donna Vekic (6-1) | 20/1 |
| Donna Vekic (6-2) | 12/1 |
| Donna Vekic (6-3) | 7/1 |
| Donna Vekic (6-4) | 7/1 |
| Donna Vekic (7-5) | 12/1 |
| Donna Vekic (7-6) | 10/1 |
How to Place a Bet on Tennis?
Interested in placing your first tennis sports bet? Find out how to bet on tennis online in our below step-by-step guide.
1. Open Your Favourite Bookie
Open either your favourite bookie or sign up to one of our recommended tennis betting sites to get started.
If you don’t already have a bookmaker that you’re loyal to, creating a new account with a trusted tennis bookie will open the door to welcome offers and promotions. Follow the steps to claim the bonus and you could be betting with two, three or even four times your original deposit.
2. Navigate to the Tennis Markets
Once you’re all logged in, navigate to the tennis markets and begin browsing. There’s often a range of tournaments with both pre-market and live betting available.
Select a match that takes your fancy and click through to the betting markets.
3. Select Your Bet Type
Browse the betting markets for your chosen match and select the bet type that you’d most like to place.
We always recommend beginners walk before they can run – choose a simple moneyline bet (which player you think will win) to get started. Add this to your betslip.
4. Select Your Stake and Place Your Bet
Access the betslip with your newly entered selection and choose the stake that you would like to place. For example, in the box next to the selection, enter the value of £1.00.
Select the “Place Bet” option and your wager will be locked in.
5. Consider Cash Out
Most modern bookies offer a cash-out function that allows bettors to secure a profit before the event is over.
Visit the “My Bets” section to locate your active wagers. Look for the cash-out symbol and find a price next to the bets that offer the feature. If the return reaches a value that you’re happy with, or you’re looking to minimise your losses, you can select cash-out to pull your bet early.
What Are The Top Tennis Tournaments to Bet On?
Betting on tennis is particularly popular during the sport’s most prestigious tournaments, where top players compete, and the stakes are high. Here are the top tennis tournaments to consider when betting, along with recent winners and runners-up for both the ATP and WTA tours.
Tennis betting comes alive during prestigious tournaments. From the Australian Open and French Open to Wimbledon and the Monte-Carlo Masters – these are the top tennis tournaments to bet on.
Australian Open
Held in Melbourne each year, the Australian Open is the first Grand Slam on the calendar. It’s known for hard courts and unforgiving heat.
- 2023 ATP Winner: Novak Djokovic
- 2023 ATP Runner-up: Stefanos Tsitsipas
- 2023 WTA Winner: Aryna Sabalenka
- 2023 WTA Runner-up: Elena Rybakina
French Open (Roland Garros)
Played on clay, the French Open is held at Roland Garros in Paris. The challenging surface demands a physical performance from the world’s top athletes.
- 2023 ATP Winner: Novak Djokovic
- 2023 ATP Runner-up: Casper Ruud
- 2023 WTA Winner: Iga Świątek
- 2023 WTA Runner-up: Karolína Muchová
Wimbledon
The grass courts of London come alive during Wimbledon – the oldest tennis tournament in the world. It’s famed for its prestige, traditions and strawberries.
- 2023 ATP Winner: Carlos Alcaraz
- 2023 ATP Runner-up: Novak Djokovic
- 2023 WTA Winner: Markéta Vondroušová
- 2023 WTA Runner-up: Ons Jabeur
US Open
The fast-paced city of New York boasts fast-paced play. The hard courts in the city bring the Grand Slam season to a close with an unrivalled atmosphere.
- 2023 ATP Winner: Novak Djokovic
- 2023 ATP Runner-up: Daniil Medvedev
- 2023 WTA Winner: Coco Gauff
- 2023 WTA Runner-up: Aryna Sabalenka
Find out how to bet on the US Open tennis in our step-by-step guide above.
Indian Wells Masters
Outside of the major Grand Slams, the Indian Wells Masters (also known as the BNP Paribas Open) is one of the top tennis events. Played in California, the hard court event is one of the best of the year and a prestigious event packed with the top players.
- 2023 ATP Winner: Carlos Alcaraz
- 2023 ATP Runner-up: Daniil Medvedev
- 2023 WTA Winner: Elena Rybakina
- 2023 WTA Runner-up: Aryna Sabalenka
Miami Open
Held in Miami, Florida – the Miami Open is a fantastic hard-court event that forms part of the Masters 1000 series.
- 2023 ATP Winner: Daniil Medvedev
- 2023 ATP Runner-up: Jannik Sinner
- 2023 WTA Winner: Petra Kvitová
- 2023 WTA Runner-up: Elena Rybakina
Monte-Carlo Masters
The iconic Monte-Carlo Masters is a clay court tournament loved by players thanks to its challenging surface and stunning scenery.
- 2023 ATP Winner: Andrey Rublev
- 2023 ATP Runner-up: Holger Rune
Rome Masters (Italian Open)
Held in the Italian capital, the Rome Masters (or Italian Open) is a fantastic clay court event and a crucial stepping stone on the way to the French Open.
- 2023 ATP Winner: Daniil Medvedev
- 2023 ATP Runner-up: Holger Rune
- 2023 WTA Winner: Elena Rybakina
- 2023 WTA Runner-up: Anhelina Kalinina
Pros & Cons of Tennis Betting
As with most sports, there is a long list of both pros and cons to wagering on the event. A short breakdown of the salient factors can be found below:
| Pros 👍 | Cons 👎 |
| Great variety of betting markets | A high risk of injury can make predictions difficult |
| Year-round action | Volatile results in a high-pressure environment |
| Great access to data and statistics | Fewer promotions/bonuses compared to football betting |
| In-play events available | – |
| Fantastic player matchups | – |
Effective Tennis Betting Tips & Strategies
Effective tennis betting has less to do with luck and more to do with statistics. Check out the following strategies to maximise your chance of how to bet on tennis and win.
Bet on the Grand Slam Favourites
The Grand Slam events are the pinnacle of tennis – every player wants to perform their very best on the day. The top-level athletes will prepare year-round for these – there’s a reason that they’re the favourites.
Look for the Home Advantage
The home advantage is often overlooked in tennis, but it’s still very much an important part of the game. The home crowd always provides a boost – it can create cracking performances, despite what the odds may tell you.
Take the Handicap Bets
Handicap bets, such as the -2.5 set handicap, offer a riskier approach with more upside than the standard wagers. These are great alternatives when betting on the favourites and can boost winnings by an impressive percentage.
Understanding Tennis Rules
Understanding the basic rules of tennis is fundamental to placing wagers on the sport. Consider the following basic tennis rules before heading to the bookies:
- Number of Sets: In Grand Slam tournaments, men’s matches are traditionally played as the best of five sets. In other tournaments, the best of three sets decide the winner. In women’s matches, the number of sets remains at three for all tournaments.
- Scoring System: The first player to win six games with a minimum margin of two games wins a set. If the set reaches 6-6, a tiebreak will typically be played.
- Service Rules: The serving player is alternated after each game. Before the switch occurs, the opposing player serves for the entire game. A serve must land diagonally in the opponent’s service box.
- Breaks and Changeovers: Both players will switch ends of the court after every odd-numbered game. During this time, a 90-second break will be taken in the period known as a changeover. Players will also benefit from the two-minute break between sets.
- Let and Fault: A let is the name given when a served ball touches the net but still lands in the correct service box. The serve is then retaken. A fault is the name given when the ball does not land in the service box. Two consecutive faults result in a “double fault”. This results in the loss of the point.
The full list of tennis rules is much more extensive, but a basic understanding of the rules can help beginners place bets.
Factors to Consider When Betting Tennis
In addition to betting strategies and the rules of the game, there’s a range of factors that can influence the outcome of any match. Some of the key factors to consider include:
- Current Form: The past performances of a player provide the most insight into their likelihood to perform in an upcoming match. Look for clues into their physical and mental condition by reviewing recent wins, and losses alongside team results.
- Evaluating a player’s recent performance, including wins, losses, and overall physical and mental condition, can provide insight into their likely performance.
- Surface Type: Performances of each player differ depending on the surface (grass, clay, hard). When analyzing historic performances, first consider the surface on which each game was played.
- Head-to-Head Records: Top-level players will often find themselves playing each other in top-level tournaments. Use their previous head-to-head records to look for patterns in physical or psychological advantages that they may have.
- Playing Style and Stats: Player style and statistics may also provide clues into the potential outcome of their upcoming games. Look for strengths and weaknesses in any part of their game (serving, returning, etc.) that could be exposed against their opponent.
- Injury Status: Recent or lingering injuries are crucial in sports betting and could significantly impact a player’s performance. Read player injury reports to gain insight into their physical condition.
In tennis betting, data is your best friend. The more statistics to hand, the better the information, the better the bets.
How to Bet on Tennis FAQs
Have a question about online tennis betting? Check out our FAQ below where we aim to answer some of the sport’s most popular questions.
Can I cash out on a tennis bookmaker?
Yes, the majority of UK bookmakers will offer the cash-out feature on tennis betting. To view bets available to cash out, enter the “My Bets” section in your chosen bookmaker and look for the cash-out logo.
What are the most popular tennis bet types?
Popular tennis bets include outright winner (moneyline betting), set betting, 1st set correct score, handicap betting (advantage/disadvantage), over/under betting (total games) and so much more. Visit the tennis betting section of your favourite bookmaker to browse the common bets available.
How do you read tennis odds?
Tennis odds are read much in the same way as other sports with fractional and decimal options available in the UK.
Fractional odds are best understood as a ratio. For example, the odds of 4/1 mean that the bet will pay out £4 for every £1 wagered (stake not included). Decimal odds can simply be thought of as a multiplier. For example, a bettor wagering £2 on a market with the odds of 5.0 will receive a payout of £10 (stake included).
Which is the best tennis betting site?
Tennis is one of the most popular sports for wagering, but choosing a good bookie is one of the fundamental steps of how to bet on tennis online. Check out our round-up of the best tennis sites and all of the current welcome offers for more information.
Can I bet on tennis live during matches?
Yes, most UK bookmakers will offer live in-play tennis betting for the majority of high-profile matches. Find out how to bet on tennis live in our step-by-step guide above.